David and Sadie

In 1920, David William Mudie, age 24, came to America from Scotland to begin his new life. It's listed that he's an electrical engineer, but Mom says he was an electrician. 

The Carmania, Cunard Line   --This is the ship David William Mudie traveled on to come to America.

This is Elsie Mudie in front of the house that her dad built. 1929

David Mudie built their Americus house in 1926.
David and Sadie Mudie are standing in front of their house.
1121 Tropical Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

WWII "Old man Draft"

Daddy was rejected from serving in the war effort due to being deaf in his left ear, Mom tells me.

"The Old Man's Draft"

Posted on July 21, 2012

“The Old Man’s Draft”

After the United States entered World War II, a new Selective Service Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 64 register for the draft. The Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on the industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). It was not intended that these men be drafted into military service but to determine if their labor skills could be used in the war effort. The registration would provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States. The men had to fill out an extensive questionnaire, but unfortunately, the questionnaires have not survived.

Many of the registration cards have survived, however. Each record has 2 pages. The first page has the individual’s name, birth date, birth place, contact name etc. The second page is similar to the WWI draft registration, with physical description: race, height, weight, hair color, eye color, complexion, and identifying characteristics such as scars or burn marks. This information can provide a mental picture even if photographs of the individual don’t exist.

The Newberry, Chicago's Independent Research Library